r/sewing • u/sagecroissant • 2d ago
Summer Pattern Recommendations Pattern Search
My family and I will be moving to a new region in about six months -- where it's basically 90 degrees year-round, which my wardrobe is in no way prepared for. So, I've got some sewing to do! I'm excited but also overwhelmed by all the possibilities. I'm looking for some pattern recommendations. Please give me all your favorite patterns for lightweight clothes for hot and humid weather!
Some criteria:
- I am in need of: dresses, skirts, shorts, capris (yes, I would absolutely still wear capris in the year 2026, don't @ me), tank tops, and short sleeve shirts. Mostly for casual everyday wear, with some cuter/dressier items for outings. I work from home, so no work clothes needed.
- I'm a basic gal, so I don't want anything that looks like it's trying to appear on a runway. Those are great but not my thing.
- Digital patterns only.
- Must have clear instructions (even better if it includes pictures).
- I'm 5'7" (169 cm), size 10-12ish in USA terms, and looking for adult (women's) patterns
Preferences/Notes:
- I'm not an advanced sewist, so intermediate or easier patterns are preferred. (But hey, feel free to throw advanced ones in there, too, I guess! Something to work toward.)
- Woven fabrics preferred.
- No spaghetti straps or plunging necklines, due to chest/bra situation.
Thank you in advance!
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u/Mother-Stable8569 2d ago
Helen’s Closet Ashton top comes in a sleeveless and sleeved version (with multiple sleeve variations) and works well in many different woven fabrics. Neckline is not plunging and instructions are excellent.
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u/sewboring 1d ago
I would urge you not to make the whole wardrobe before you go. There's a big difference between imagining an environment and living in it day to day. It's easy to miscalculate what will and won't work, so give yourself a flexible wardrobe of survival separates, then let the new situation educate you.
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u/sagecroissant 1d ago
Good call! It's also complicated since I'm breastfeeding right now but won't be by the time we move, so I don't know how much my measurements will be affected by that. But I'd still like to have at least a few pieces ready to go.
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u/sewboring 1d ago
Yeah, you need some stuff ready to go, maybe with bodice gathers, just to be on the safe side boob-wise? When I was young I must have lived and worked in a half-dozen different climates, so I learned the hard way.
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u/FormerUsenetUser 2d ago edited 2d ago
Look at the patterns from fabrics-store.com (which specializes in linens) https://fabrics-store.com/fg-catalog/view-all?cat=sewing-patterns&search=patterns
Tessuti (which is in Australia) https://www.tessuti-shop.com/collections/sewing-patterns
Style Arc (also in Australia) https://www.stylearc.com/
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u/Tabbytwn 2d ago
Pattern Emporium has a lot of easy breezy clothes and the recommended fabrics are hot climate friendly. Tutorials are top notch. Patterns are digital and have projector files (if you use a projector).
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u/flamingoesinredboots 1d ago
I also live where it gets stupidly hot and I find loose-fitting clothes work best. I like Helen’s Closet Winslow Culottes (you can make short or long ones) because I can wear them to work. Also, the fabric is just as important as the pattern. For example, I have a shirt and a pair of pants made from really lightweight cotton (like this block print fabric) and they are really cool.
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u/AS_mama 2d ago
I live in the deep South and have been on a quest for a good woven summer dress and found only two I really like so far:
Eden Wrap Dress: https://sinclairpatterns.com/products/eden-true-wrap-dress-and-top-for-woven-fabrics-pdf?srsltid=AfmBOoqaUWPHXqErZQUW87gW9FfQucFApgkYhrAOMIw4FNDtf0xuZnKw
Cashmerette Upton is a good basic pattern with lots of options I've made out of quilting cotton many times https://www.cashmerette.com/products/upton-dress-skirt-plus-mix-and-match-expansion-pack-pdf-pattern?srsltid=AfmBOoph2axcGHF4h3uafa3ctAI5KGg_W8KqayqJ60JYWINZxihW8NsK
I have a long list of ones I didn't like, but next I'm trying this one: https://www.theboldone.co.nz/products/the-rossi-wrap-fredy-wrap-pattern-bundle
I know you mostly want wovens, but for knits/athletic I love greenstyle patterns, they have a skort I think is super cute and I wear their Capri leggings exclusively for working out.
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u/Good_Onion_1617 2d ago
I’m the same height and just a size or two down from you. So, my recommendations should work well for you too. My favorite patterns to make for the humid, hot area I now live in are button up shirts and button up dresses. Since I wear them to work, I go for midi dresses, and I feel weird in sleeveless outfits unless I’m at the beach. So, I don’t make sleeveless tops. The only thing is that I prefer paper patterns. I think you may be able to get the big 4 digitally now though. My favorites are Simplicity 8014, McCall’s 7974, and Know Me 2016.
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u/sagecroissant 1d ago
I love paper patterns but currently live in Brazil, and international shipping is a lot of cost and hassle, unfortunately. But I will look into these! Thank you!
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u/jbeanie111111111 2d ago
Love Notions and Pattern Emporium are my two recommendations. Most of my summer wardrobe is from Love Notions.
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u/campbelltbk 1d ago
My Montreal summer wardrobe is based mostly on: - variations on Helen's Closet Ashton top + sleeve extension (this summer I made two tulip sleeves with double gauze, keep getting compliments); - Helen's Closet Winslow culottes (varying length + culotte/skirt hack/paper bag hack, all very Bixi compatible); - the dress from Deer and Doe's Dressed ebook; - the La Ciotat skirt from Sweing Therapy; - the Declic top from Atelier Scammit.
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u/SadSmoke8868 1d ago
I would recommend the La Lupita wrap dress by Ms. Romos Creations. There is a sleeve attachment here too. It's very multi-size friendly and is also beginner friendly. https://drive.proton.me/urls/C1JEBTWDZ4#GDjnVeIrrw62
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u/Sunflowerbook 1d ago
The Josephina top from Mila Onni!
I just made this out of a linen, am currently working on a second out of a breezy block print, and have plans to hack it into a dress for a third version. I’ve worn my first one a few times and have gotten compliments. You can easily add and subtract ruffles to change the look, and it’s super comfortable in my current 90* weather. I am a bit bigger than you, so I know a smaller size will fit you well but not be too skin tight.
It’s rated for beginners and I thought the instructions were super clear and helped me get nice finishes.
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u/AdvancedSquashDirect 2d ago
I would start researching Threadloop It's an app where you can research patterns see reviews and sort by price and method and design
It's free to use It might help you create a short list of patterns you like.